Jakarta

[BenderOver]

In my opinion, that's not really the case. The "tricksters" are rare. You find them as the old broken beaten up taxis in north Jakarta near the brothels, or on the dirty streets of Blok M or other dicey mafia ridden areas. You won't likely find any taxi that doesn't use a meter at a place in Jakarta that doesn't have some nefarious activity going on. I actually prefer Express taxi over Bluebird because the Express taxis not only use the meter every time, but their price is cheaper and the drivers are smarter. If you want to get to a place that is not so popular, the chance a bluebird taxi knows it are almost zero, but an express taxi driver will very likely know. Gamya is also a good taxi, but Express is the best. Bluebird does have the nicest taxis, but many times their driver is a young kid who just started driving and doesn't know a thing about Jakarta.

Thanks for clarifying that Smoothy. When I was typing, I was thinking this, but when I read what I had typed previously, I didn't clarify who the tricksters were. There's always 3 or 4 cabs sitting in front of the Kota Indah alleyway and those guys. Boy. They're running the "last shift or else you walk" routine and usually, I just pay. Example. On my way to Kotah Indah in a blue bird it's about 80 k and that will include a tip. On the way BACK from kota Indah, I'm usually out 120 k. I look at it where the extra 50 k is $4. 30 and there's no way I'm going to sweat my balls off for 45 minutes for that. Also, I've tried hailing a Bluebird on My Bluebird App and these guys can never find their way to the right place! I see the little car symbol do you-turn after you-turn trying to get to where I'm at and it's ridiculous.

If you're looking for a cheap place and not a dump to stay, I've hit the d'prima ITC on Jl. Tiangseng before. Clean room, basic bed, shitty TV, bathroom is clean and the tiled shower was nice. I give it a 2. 5 to 3 star but after a long flight and not wanting to waste money on the room, the 380 k is cheap compared to the good quality of the room.

It was a total of 380 k for one night and I think I stayed there 5 hours just as a relay point to shower after a long flight, shave, and head out to Kota Indah five minute walk away. But I wasn't aware that the places were outright closed (I thought they were just really really slow). The bellman was a young kid who knew what went wrong and was quick to offer me his "friend" who was young and cute and did massages. She showed up and didn't disappoint. 600 k all in for ST plus a tip on the way out. I tipped the kid 100 k cause he really scored for me.

If anyone can chime in on the Horizon Arcadia, and share how the place was, it'd be helpful.

[GCNovice]

Benderover.

Thanks for the depth of info, much appreciated.

1- 5.

To get to Terminal in Classic, it's through the main front door? Are the prices at these hotels all inclusive or do you pay extra for the room and extra services like extra shots and CIM? The #4, per Chinese culture, is bad luck - #1 and #9 are the lucky numbers. I'm not on a tight budget, just trying to figure out charges and so on. Prices at BATS, CJ, and others are fairly comparable to the punting scene in Bangkok (cheaper) and Seoul (expensive). Also, do you know how regularly girls get tested at Malio, Classic, Travel, etc. ? Girls allowing BB with CIP is something I don't partake in and I hope they understand the risks involved.

Smoothy.

I'm not white, so no freebies for me or women lusting over me.

I keep seeing different info about coverage charges, meh, I'll just eat it as part of the P2P scene.

Thanks all for the info on Kota Indah, I might pass that area up.

I attached a work in progress image of what I usually do to determine where I stay and play.

[Smoothy]

9. The taxi company you can trust is Bluebird who also handles Pusaka. So remember the taxi companies named Bluebird and Pusaka. Everyone else is a trickster who'd rather operate without the meter and rip you a little.

In my opinion, that's not really the case. The "tricksters" are rare. You find them as the old broken beaten up taxis in north Jakarta near the brothels, or on the dirty streets of Blok M or other dicey mafia ridden areas. You won't likely find any taxi that doesn't use a meter at a place in Jakarta that doesn't have some nefarious activity going on. I actually prefer Express taxi over Bluebird because the Express taxis not only use the meter every time, but their price is cheaper and the drivers are smarter. If you want to get to a place that is not so popular, the chance a bluebird taxi knows it are almost zero, but an express taxi driver will very likely know. Gamya is also a good taxi, but Express is the best. Bluebird does have the nicest taxis, but many times their driver is a young kid who just started driving and doesn't know a thing about Jakarta.

[Smoothy]

Kota Indah is an area in North Jakarta.

As for transport, use only Bluebird taxis.

Kota Indah is one of the few areas of Jakarta where you WILL be overcharged by the taxis waiting there. You will be fine at Hotel Classic because it's easy to find a bluebird there. It is not easy to get a bluebird at kota indah so you will likely end up with one of the mafia taxis where you have to overpay. Most of the people who go to kota indah are down market locals who drive there on their scooter. That's why there are hundreds of scooters all over the place in front of those little bars.

[Blanquiceleste]

Where is Hotel Kota Indah located? I searched but I don't believe I'm searching correctly, my Google-fu isn't good on this one.

Are Jakarta taxi drivers horrendous with night charges. I know Bangkok taxi drivers are.

Kota Indah is an area in North Jakarta. It is not a hotel. There are several bars in that area. Look for names like Starmoon, Grand LA, etc. You will easily find it on Google Maps.

As for transport, use only Bluebird taxis. Or use a ride sharing app called GRAB. Look for it in the Play store / App store.

[Smoothy]

3. I can't recall the page #, there's a 40,000 IDR minimum to enter a floor. If I don't locate someone on floor 2, I want to leave for floor 5, and I don't buy 40,000 worth of drinks. Do I pay the different upon leaving? And does moving from floor to floor incur new minimum?

40,000 is less than $3 USD. You will not find any drink for less than that. You can sit in there the entire night and never buy a drink if you want. If you don't buy a drink at all, you have to pay 40,000 to exit. They only have that entry fee to keep the locals out who can't afford 40 k. As tiny as the entry fee is, it's a good thing. That's the problem with places like kota indah, they don't charge any cover at all, so the lowest of the low locals go there and hang out all night stinking the place up with their smoking and taking up space.

The ground floor of Classic is called Bunker, it has a 50 k cover, but they do not charge white westerners that cover. The 2nd floor charges everyone the cover.

[BenderOver]

Hi gents,

I've read pages, 35 and counting, of this thread and would like to gather some more info, if anyone is kind enough to provide. Thanks in advance.

It seems Hotel Classic is the go to for cheap P4P I'll make this a stop or multiple stops based on luck.

1. Is the entrance to the P4P scene in the the back left of the hotel (not the main entrance to hotel)?

2. How dim is the light setting, viewing youtube, I can barely see anything outside of the WG's lounging sofas? In a couple of videos, are the girls sectioned off by premium (most sit in front of the bar, but there's an area to the immediate left of the entrance where some girls will sit).

3. I can't recall the page #, there's a 40,000 IDR minimum to enter a floor. If I don't locate someone on floor 2, I want to leave for floor 5, and I don't buy 40,000 worth of drinks. Do I pay the different upon leaving? And does moving from floor to floor incur new minimum?.

1. Hotel Classic has a large lobby / common area central. You enter and see the registration desk, but off to the side appears to be a multistory atrium. Around this atrium as you go up are various businesses including the ones you're looking for. Escalators and elevators get you there.

2. Near pitch black. You need to bring MMS or the girl to some lighting to discuss.

3. Don't know how the minimum charge works. But it's very cheap! My advice is to not worry about the small stuff.

4. I never had a problem. It's usually boredom that drives me out.

5. There are at least 5 floors to Classic. You may not see any posts about 3 or 4 simply because the businesses there have cycled or there may be no businesses there at all. I can't remember, but maybe Smoothy can advise what is on 3 and 4. Also, Indonesia has a superstitious thing about using L4 as a floor. It usually goes G, 1, 2, 3, 3 A, 5. Can't remember how Classic does it.

6. Hotel Travel is open. The entrance of the club is separate from the hotel lobby. It's about 10 meters to the left. You don't need an address. Any taxicab driver in North Jakarta knows Hotel Travel. The shadier ones will want to give you a fixed rate to drive you there knowing you're horny and looking to bang. Their fixed rate is usually 150% of whatever Bluebird charges you, but late at night, you don't usually find Bluebird in those neighborhoods.

7. Kota Indah is not a well known term to both Google Maps and to taxi drivers. If you're looking for this place and want to get there quickly in a taxicab, look for Starmoon Bar, favorite that, and show the address to the driver. The area is just one block south of Kota Tua (Old City). Kotah Indah is really two shit-covered alleyways with about 5 clubs / bars completely filled with young lovely girls. My favorite place to punt really. But as I indicated before and as Smoothy reminded me I'm redundant in stating because it's stated this time of year for the past 2 decades, do not go during Ramadan and likely during Idul Fitri celebration because all of the establishments are likely closed, doors locked, lights out. So much so that even the alley heavy security gate is completely slid shut. I believe Idul Fitri celebrations can last as long as June 16 this year, though officially, businesses like to reopen by June 12. (Kota Indah are not official businesses).

8. If you're already running a TIGHT budget, CJs and BATS will get you no where. We're talking a 500 k punting experience versus a 2000 k punting experience (taxi, entry, drink, ST girl). So you have to really be honest about your budget here. If you want to go just to look around, sure thing. Taxi's are VERY reasonable and the entry is about 250 k which gets you a first drink. I don't know exact details but have been at these locations previously.

CJs is just a huge dance club with a live band. The girls there are all working. 80% of them look plain and are in their 30's. 20% of them are in their 20%. You'll find a couple of stunners in the entire crowd. Various night by night of course. The friendliness varies too. You'll see Indo girls outright making out with middle eastern guys at the bar, DFK, etc. You'll see girls hiding in the crowd hoping you approach them. You'll get girls who come up to you and introduce themselves. It's a huge dance party where nobody's dancing, just standing around and trying to hook up. Everyone pays 250 k to enter, so the girls are trying to get business or they lose out the evening.

BATS is a huge dark bar with a more subtle live band. The action starts at around 10:30 PM because before that it's an empty restaurant. At 10:30, girls and westerners start to trickle in until the bar is completely full. It's a beautiful environment but the women are older also. 30's. I've been approached by several and they're all nice and business like, but in the end far too expensive. 1. 5 M for ST typical, if not more. You might be able to identify a girl who's not as attractive and knows this so she'll go as low as 1. 2 M ST. But I wasn't looking for company when I went. Ended up going to Classic and was very pleased.

9. The taxi company you can trust is Bluebird who also handles Pusaka. So remember the taxi companies named Bluebird and Pusaka. Everyone else is a trickster who'd rather operate without the meter and rip you a little. You should download My Bluebird App and see if you can hail a Bluebird. If all else fails and it looks like you're walking a few miles, then dig out those wrinkly bills and pay whatever fee the other taxis are looking for. If you can jive in a little bit of Bahasa Indonesia, try to say "I will only pay XX to go to HERE" and insert about 130% to 150% of the cab fee into XX. Otherwise, you might be screwed for even more. If you're cruising around Classic, Travel, and Kota Indah, there are these little 3 wheeled enclosed motorbikes. They're small and blue. These are safe and are usually cheaper than a taxi but you don't get air conditioning and you inhale a lot of bad exhaust fumes when the bike is stopped.

[LookAtWorld]

The political situation currently has nothing to do with the hobby we all enjoy. As we speak the month of Ramadan is still in play so things will be a bit quiet but July should be fine.

Glad to hear this. I have a week booked in July as well, its my maiden trip to Jakarta. Thank you.

[JamesXFisher]

The political situation currently has nothing to do with the hobby we all enjoy. As we speak the month of Ramadan is still in play so things will be a bit quiet but July should be fine.

On the other hand one should be glad that the incumbent has been reelected. His challenger was a more hard-line sort of guy and thst could have impacted the mongering scene.

In the long run I believe Indonesia will get more and more radicalised and our hobby will meet its maker there.

Sadly this is the direction of travel all over the Muslim world. Malaysia is on the same path. Looks like we will all be going to Vietnam in 10 years time!

[OldSnake]

You are wrong you don't know India.

Dark skinned Indian men don't even fare well in India relative to the light skinned men. Even there they prefer light skin. Watch Indian TV or the Bollywood movies, they all have light skin. Doesn't mean they can't get laid in a ***** house though.

[Blanquiceleste]

Looks like the shit has hit the fan down there politically, with protesters angry about the results of the last elections and political violence in the streets leaving at least 8 people dead.

I am booked for 3 weeks in Jakarta in July.

Calling out to the old Indonesian hands: Should I be worried? How likely is this to impacts the p4 p scene? Am I walking into a "Year of Living Dangerously" situation? LOL.

The political situation currently has nothing to do with the hobby we all enjoy. As we speak the month of Ramadan is still in play so things will be a bit quiet but July should be fine.

On the other hand one should be glad that the incumbent has been reelected. His challenger was a more hard-line sort of guy and thst could have impacted the mongering scene.

In the long run I believe Indonesia will get more and more radicalised and our hobby will meet its maker there.

[MaxAircon]

"John Traveller: Soon I will be returning to Jakarta, three years after my last visit. From this board I hear there are some changes. When did Top Gun close down, are the other bars at Blok M open still? What are the alternatives to Top Gun now? I mean sort of similar setup. I hear about Eastern Promise, but where is it?

Top Gun closed about Nov. 2017. MyBar and the'Place still operating in about Oct. 2018, and no reports of closure since. A couple of other Block M bars also still operating, but with little of interest. EP is in Kemang, about 2 km from Block M. Apparently best at weekends.

Good luck, and locking forward to some reports.

[GCNovice]

Hi gents,

I've read pages, 35 and counting, of this thread and would like to gather some more info, if anyone is kind enough to provide. Thanks in advance.

It seems Hotel Classic is the go to for cheap P4P I'll make this a stop or multiple stops based on luck.

1. Is the entrance to the P4P scene in the the back left of the hotel (not the main entrance to hotel)?

2. How dim is the light setting, viewing youtube, I can barely see anything outside of the WG's lounging sofas? In a couple of videos, are the girls sectioned off by premium (most sit in front of the bar, but there's an area to the immediate left of the entrance where some girls will sit).

3. I can't recall the page #, there's a 40,000 IDR minimum to enter a floor. If I don't locate someone on floor 2, I want to leave for floor 5, and I don't buy 40,000 worth of drinks. Do I pay the different upon leaving? And does moving from floor to floor incur new minimum?

4. Say you complete your first session, you go back to a floor, how long can you stay there without grabbing another WG or drink?

5. Is there only 2 floors to Classic, I see 2nd and 5th, but not 3rd or 4th, or Nth other floors.

Hotel Travel is permanently closed? This is what Google is saying when I search for it, but other reports states they went to Travel. Granted some of the reviews are back in March 2019.

Where is Hotel Kota Indah located? I searched but I don't believe I'm searching correctly, my Google-fu isn't good on this one.

I'm not sure if I'll hit the bar scene. CJ and Bats. As I'm looking to stay up North. Are Jakarta taxi drivers horrendous with night charges. I know Bangkok taxi drivers are.

[Uncle Volodya]

Looks like the shit has hit the fan down there politically, with protesters angry about the results of the last elections and political violence in the streets leaving at least 8 people dead.

I am booked for 3 weeks in Jakarta in July.

Calling out to the old Indonesian hands: Should I be worried? How likely is this to impacts the p4 p scene? Am I walking into a "Year of Living Dangerously" situation? LOL.

[BigGuy7]

So I was in Jakarta for a couple of days decided to go to malio one evening. I was expecting it to be a bit dry but it turned out to be the one of the best times I have had at malio.

Firstly the prices have increased since the last time I was there, in the lounge for a local it was 600 k + 200 k minimum tip, across the hall dancers were asking 1.5 m IDR for one hour /1 shot, the dancers in the club 3.3 m IDR for the same.

Got to the hotel around 10 pm, was ushered to the back entrance where the club is. Once done with the formalities sat myself down at one of the tables. The dancers were bored and not as beautiful as I had seen before but I didn't care as I was soon surrounded by 5-6 attractive girls. I guess 2 of them were playing the long game as they got really friendly (if you know what I mean) without asking for drinks. One of them was really petite just what I was interested in. Did spend some time there before moving upstairs to check out the talent. But couldn't get the petite lady out of my head so went back to the club and found her. Soon we were on the floor above with the price of just 5 lady drinks (65 k IDR each) and this is where the fun started. Was having a great time with her boobs in my face and her gyrating on me until I got interrupted by other girls looking for a lady drink. One of them shoved my hand down her shirt forcing me to grope her which I thought was worth one drink anyway. Bought them each a lady drink so I could get back to my petite lady faster. Ended up getting the number of my girl and agreed to meet her at my hotel. Total expenditure at malio was about $100 for a great time. Can't wait to be back in Jakarta.